Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Oboe Player And Her Teacher
Dear Guidance Guy,
I haven't done this before, but there is this teacher at my school, and everyone hates him! He is our band teacher, I love playing my instrument but its hard to play well with him around. I need some help!
A Worried Oboe Player
*** *** ***
Dear Worried,
This is different in one sense from other "I hate my teacher" letters because you are actually performing from him. It's one thing when you're simply writing papers, learning math or even participating in class discussions. You're putting an important part of yourself out there. So it's going to be important that you find a way to make peace with your teacher.
If everyone hates this teacher, no doubt he's picking up on how everyone feels. It must not be much fun to walk into a classroom knowing your students don't like you. Maybe you can be the first person to change things. This isn't to say he's doing everything right, but there must be something about him that's OK. Start by focusing on this, and watch how you get more of it. Try not to think about the parts you don't like.
And the most important thing...when other kids in your class talk about how much they don't like him, do NOT be part of the discussion. In fact if you can say something nice about him, or at least not negative, you can start to change the way others see him. This will also cause a shift in how things go in band.
Everyone wants to be liked and respected. If you can start expressing some appreciation for your teacher (even if he's far from perfect) my guess is things will get much better for him...and you.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
I haven't done this before, but there is this teacher at my school, and everyone hates him! He is our band teacher, I love playing my instrument but its hard to play well with him around. I need some help!
A Worried Oboe Player
*** *** ***
Dear Worried,
This is different in one sense from other "I hate my teacher" letters because you are actually performing from him. It's one thing when you're simply writing papers, learning math or even participating in class discussions. You're putting an important part of yourself out there. So it's going to be important that you find a way to make peace with your teacher.
If everyone hates this teacher, no doubt he's picking up on how everyone feels. It must not be much fun to walk into a classroom knowing your students don't like you. Maybe you can be the first person to change things. This isn't to say he's doing everything right, but there must be something about him that's OK. Start by focusing on this, and watch how you get more of it. Try not to think about the parts you don't like.
And the most important thing...when other kids in your class talk about how much they don't like him, do NOT be part of the discussion. In fact if you can say something nice about him, or at least not negative, you can start to change the way others see him. This will also cause a shift in how things go in band.
Everyone wants to be liked and respected. If you can start expressing some appreciation for your teacher (even if he's far from perfect) my guess is things will get much better for him...and you.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 12:27 PM
